One Great Parade
Despite the rain, thunder and lightening, the City of Lakewood, its citizens and the Association of the United States Army welcomed home 4th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division.
“It’s great to be here and be in this parade,” Sgt. Zachary Bavender, 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, said before the parade began.
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“We appreciate all that has been and is being done for us.”
More than 2,000 Soldier and more than a dozen of the unit’s Strykers departed the Lakewood Police Department and ended at City Hall.
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The brigade’s commander, Col. Michael Getchell, led the way.
Lakewood has been the brigade’s “Community Connector” since 2006. Elected officials have maintained good relations with the brigade’s leadership, and Soldiers and their family members have received broad support from residents, business and community members.
Several thousand individuals congregated near City Hall as the Soldiers formed up to be praised for their service.
“We owe them our support and gratitude,” Susan Brazell said as she watched the Soldiers form up.
After the parade, the brigade and its family members were invited to a community festival at Fort Steilacoom Park.
4th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division holds the distinction of being the last combat brigade to conduct offensive operations in Iraq, and it is the last to deploy from Joint Base Lewis-McChord to Afghanistan.
The Department of Army has announced that the brigade will inactivate as part of its plan to complete post-war downsizing and force restructuring.
